Sam Helmke

executive chef

Born and raised in South Portland, Maine, I have been cooking in Southern Maine for over 20 years. I attended the University of Maine, where I earned a degree in political science. However, cooking has always come naturally to me and has remained a true passion, leading me to pursue a career as a professional chef.

I was raised by two loving parents who both spent time in the hospitality industry—service is in my blood.

I began my career locally, working in small sauté positions during high school, and steadily worked my way up through the ranks at several establishments. Along the way, I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best chefs in the area. I took my first management position at 555, where I spent several years, and most recently served as Executive Chef at Paper Tiger.

I’m grateful to have found my new home at Sur Lie—a place driven by creativity and passion, where my skill set can truly shine. I am committed to cooking with locally and ethically sourced ingredients, creating diverse, seasonal menus inspired by a range of cultures.

Beyond the food itself, I take pride in being part of the change I want to see in this industry. I am dedicated to maintaining a healthy work-life balance for our team, reducing burnout, and fostering a culture rooted in tolerance, compassion, and understanding. This industry can be demanding, and it’s essential that we continue to grow while cultivating a safe and supportive work environment.

I look forward to continuing Sur Lie’s high standard of excellence in food, beverage, and service for years to come.

Krista Cole

Owner/director of operations & Marketing OF Sur Lie in portland & Gather restaurant in Yarmouth

Krista Cole is a two-time James Beard semi-finalist. She is a semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur and Sur Lie is a semi-finalist for Outstanding Hospitality.

Krista is the sole owner of both Sur Lie in Portland, Maine and Gather in Yarmouth, Maine. She was also co-founder & consulted in the building of Catface Cafe in Biddeford, Maine.

Krista built Sur Lie from the ground up, opening the restaurant in the fall of 2014. When she found out the community-loved restaurant, Gather, was for sale in Yarmouth, she bought it in January of 2022. Gather was very much focused on buying local and giving back to the community, so she felt that the values aligned perfectly between the two restaurants.

Krista is no stranger to hard work. She was raised by a single mom in rural Maine north of Bangor. Her initial career path was nursing, and she achieved a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing right out of high school.

Krista worked night shift as a nurse to get through graduate school where she received her master’s degree in management and organization with a certificate in entrepreneurial studies while living in Denver. She worked all night, then went to classes during the day. It was during her last year of graduate school in 2012 that she started writing the business plan for Sur Lie and planning her move home to Maine to make this dream come to fruition.

Hospitality and leading teams are in her blood. While she left nursing for good in 2019, the love she has for people and her team has translated heavily into the leadership she provides at both of her restaurants. Breaking down the barriers for females in our industry has been a huge passion of hers as well.

Leadership is something she takes very seriously, and feels that her most important job is to create an environment of equity, transparency, integrity and respect. She seeks team members who share her passion for the craft of hospitality and who believe in the contributions they make to their community.

Krista’s love of community reaches beyond the work of both restaurants. You can find her sitting on the board of directors for Portland Downtown and Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce.

100% female owned & 100% humbled by the love and support these two communities have shown me.

Bianca Carpino

Bar Manager

Hi! I’m Bianca Carpino, and I’ve been behind the bar for over a decade—closer to 13 years, actually! I got my start in South Florida’s lively Latin nightclub scene, but over time I gravitated toward casual fine dining. I wanted to stay creative and connected to people while finding a better balance outside of the late-night lifestyle.

I’ve always loved food—when I was younger, I even wanted to be a chef—but bartending eventually won me over, and I couldn’t be happier that it did. It’s taken me to incredible places and connected me with amazing people.

At one point, I took a brief detour from the bar world to explore a career in biology research at the University of Florida’s Nephrology Department. While it was fascinating, I quickly realized how much I missed the creativity and social energy of hospitality. That experience deepened my appreciation for what I do now.

Before landing in Portland, I spent four wonderful years on Cape Cod, crafting cocktails for two exceptional restaurants and soaking in the beauty of that special place. Ultimately, I wanted my cocktails—and the stories behind them—to reach more people, and that’s what brought me here.

Portland has embraced me with open arms, and I’m so grateful to call it home. Come visit me at Sur Lie—I’d love to mix you something special.